Effects of saponin extract from Panax notoginseng on hyperlipidemic mice.

Abstract

To investigate the impact of the Panax notoginseng saponin extract on hyperlipidaemic mice. We developed a hyperlipidemia model in mouse through the administration of a high-fat diet. We conducted weekly measurements of body weight, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Additionally, serum levels of Apolipoprotein A (APOA) and Apolipoprotein B (APOB) were determined post-feeding. We assessed pathological liver tissue damage in mice, as well as examined malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to detect the expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) proteins within liver tissues. Administration of Panax notoginseng saponin extract led to a reduction in body weight, liver index, and histopathological scores among mice. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in TC, TG and LDL-C levels, accompanied by an increase in HDL-C levels. Additionally, an increase in hepatic SOD activity and a decrease in MDA content were observed in the liver homogenates of mice. Furthermore, the expression levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins were upregulated in liver tissue. These findings suggest that Panax notoginseng saponin extracts may ameliorate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia.